Sutera plant named &#39;dancop19&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Sutera  plant named ‘DANCOP19’ particularly characterized by 5-petalled flowers, measuring about 1.8 cm in diameter and purple in color with a yellow-orange colored throat; vigorous growth which maintains a trailing compact growth habit; early flowering response, suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination planters and ground cover under full sunlight and slight shade.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Sutera cordata

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DANCOP19’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Suteraplant, botanically known as Sutera cordata, hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘DANCOP19’.

Sutera, of the Scrophulariaceae family, consists of annuals which aregrown in most climate zones in the U.S., and only in zones 9 and 10 ifit is a perennial plant.

The new Sutera cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Suteravariety with large, purple flowers and a trailing, compact growth habit.

The new Sutera cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in 2004, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The female or seed parent is Sutera cultivar designated ‘CV-4-3’from our breeding program (unpatented). The male or pollen parent isSutera cultivar designated ‘OP19’ from our breeding program(unpatented). The new Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOP19’ was discovered andselected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sutera cultivar by vegetative cuttingswas first performed in August of 2004 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel,and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivarreproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DANCOP19’ which in combination distinguishthis Sutera as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. 5-petalled flowers, measuring about 1.8 cm in diameter and        purple in color with a yellow-orange throat;    -   2. Vigorous growth which maintains a trailing, compact growth        habit;    -   3. Early flowering response; and    -   4. Suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination        planters and ground cover under full sunlight and slight shade.

Plants of ‘DANCOP19’ differ from the plants of the female parent,‘CV-04-3’ primarily in flower size and growth habit. Plants of‘DANCOP19’ produce flowers larger in size (about 1.8 cm in diameter)than plants of ‘CV-4-3’ (about 1.6 cm in diameter). Plants of ‘DANCOP19’have a more compact growth habit (height about 13 cm and spread about 40cm) than plants of ‘CV-4-3’ (height about 16 cm and spread about 50 cm).

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to ‘DANCOP19’ is the Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOPINK’ (allowed,U.S. application Ser. No. 11/068,872). The new cultivar isdistinguishable from ‘DANCOPINK’ in flower color and growth habit. Theflower color of ‘DANCOP19’ is darker (purple, RHS 77B) and its growthhabit is more vigorous, whereas ‘DANCOPINK’ flowers are lighter (violet,RHS 84C) and its growth habit is less vigorous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOP19’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of‘DANCOP19’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical ‘DANCOP19’ plant in ahanging basket at 3 months. FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a single flowerof ‘DANCOP19’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOP19’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype ofthe plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Sutera cultivar‘DANCOP19’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel,under conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The ageof the plant described is 2 months.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Sutera cordata.        -   Commercial.—Sutera c.v. Copia Dark Pink.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Sutera cultivar designated ‘CV-4-3’            from our breeding program (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Sutera cultivar designated ‘OP19 ’            from our breeding program (unpatented).-   Optimal growth conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight or slight shade.        -   Temperature.—Day: 20° C. to 24° C. Night: 16° C. to 20° C.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of            about 10° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 30°            C.        -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with a level of 100 ppm            Nitrogen.        -   Growth regulators.—Unnecessary.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tip cuttings of side shoots.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Easy to root.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 7 to 10 days at 18° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 14 days at 18° C.-   Plant:    -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: 13 cm. Spread: 40 cm.        -   Shape.—Trailing, compact growth habit.        -   Winter hardiness.—Hardy in moderate climate.        -   Vigor.—Strong.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Crop time.—About 8 to 10 weeks for a flowering pot.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Branching habit.—Vigorously branched.

Lateral branches.— TABLE 1 Branch characteristic Primary SecondaryLength  40 cm. 15 cm. Diameter   2 mm.  1 mm. Internode Length 2.5 cm. 1 cm. Texture Slightly rough Slightly rough Pubescence Present PresentColor Green, RHS 137C Green, RHS 137D

-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement and attachment.—Opposite, petiolate.        -   Leaf length.—2.0 cm.        -   Leaf width.—1.2 cm.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Elliptic.        -   Apex shape.—Acute.        -   Base shape.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Dentate.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Slightly velvety.        -   Pubescence (both surfaces).—Slightly present.        -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Green, RHS 137A.            Immature leaf: Green, RHS 137C.        -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Green, RHS 137C.            Immature leaf: Green, RHS 137C.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS            137A. Lower surface: Green, RHS 137C.        -   Petiole.—Length: 6 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: Green, RHS            137A.        -   Leaf fragrance.—None.-   Flower description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—All year round in moderate            climate. Flowering occurs year round outdoors in Israel.        -   Flowering response time.—About 4 weeks from planting.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: Flowering of a single            flower lasts for 7 days.        -   Flower fragrance.—None.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 200.        -   Flower bud (about 2 days prior to opening).—Shape:            Spatulate. Length: 8 mm. Diameter: 3 mm. Texture: Velvety.            Color: Purple, RHS 76A.        -   Flower type.—Solitary, auxiliary.        -   Flower form.—Salverform.        -   Flower symmetry.—Radial symmetric.        -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward).        -   Corolla Size.—Diameter (spread): 1.8 cm. Diameter at lobes:            18 mm. Overall flower height: 10 mm. Length of corolla tube:            7 mm. Diameter of corolla tube: 1 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 5. Length: 8 mm. Width: 5 mm. Overall            shape: Oval and gameopetalous. Apex: Rounded. Base: Fused.            Margin: Entire. Texture (upper & lower surfaces): Slightly            velvety. Color: Upper surface, when opening: Purple, RHS            77B. Upper surface, opened flower: Purple, RHS 77B. Lower            surface, when opening: Purple, RHS 77C. Lower surface,            opened flower: Purple, RHS 77C.        -   Corolla throat color.—Yellow-orange, RHS 15A.        -   Calyx.—Sepals: Quantity: 5. Length: 5 mm. Width: 1 mm.            Overall shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Velvety. Lower surface:            Velvety. Upper surface color: Green, RHS 137C. Lower surface            color: Green, RHS 137C. Anthocyan pigmentation of calyx            limb: Absent. Pedicel: Aspect: Slanted upward. Length: 7 mm.            Diameter: 1 mm. Angle: About 45° Texture: Velvety. Color:            Green, RHS 146B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 4. Arrangement: Didynamous.            Type: Basifixed. Dehiscence of stamens: Extrorse. Color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 15B. Anthers: Shape: Cylinder. Length:            1 mm. Filaments: Length: About 9 mm. Color: RHS 155D, white            group. Pollen: Amount: Moderate Color: Yellow-orange, RHS            15B. Pollination requirements: Young flowers, vital pollen,            and receptive, open stigma.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Quantity: 1. Length: About 10 mm.            Stigma: Shape: Undulate. Width: About 0.5 mm. Color:            Green-Yellow, RHS 1C. Style: Shape: Terete. Length: About            8 mm. Ovary: Shape: Ellipsoid. Position: Superior. Length:            About 2 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS            144C.-   Seeds:    -   -   Quantity per fruit.—About 20.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—About 1 mm.        -   Width.—About 0.5 mm.        -   Texture.—Rough.        -   Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS 165C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Type.—Capsule.        -   Shape.—Ellipsoid.        -   Length.—About 4 mm.        -   Width.—About 2 mm.        -   Texture.—Rugose.        -   Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS 165B.-   Disease/pest resistance: No information is currently available.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: No information is currently available.

1. A new and distinct Sutera plant named ‘DANCOP19’, substantially asillustrated and described herein.